100 Years Ago: Women's group planted trees around Catonsville High School

An article in the April 27, 1912 edition of The Argus recognized a local group's beautification project.

The Woman's Civic League has had a number of shade and ornamental trees planted on the lot surrounding the Catonsville High School. Several oak trees were planted in front of the school, bordering on Frederick avenue as well as in front of the First National Bank Building.

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With the city churches, the county congregations joined in offering prayers Sunday for those who went down with the Titanic. All the services were largely attended, and many a tear was shed in the edifices as pastor or rector referred in touching manner to the greatest marine disaster the world has ever known.

At St. Mark's Catholic Church, Rev. E.A. Williams, pastor, the first Mass was offered for the repose of the souls of the victims of the disaster. Father Williams also delivered a short discourse on the subject.

Rev. John C. Bowers, pastor of Salem Lutheran Church, will preach Sunday morning on "Lessons From the Loss and Investigation of the Titanic."

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The mystery surrounding the fatal shooting of Frederick Baer, of 143 Belvidere avenue, Arlington, on the Old Annapolis road, near Westport, on Sunday, April 14, was cleared up Sunday night when Wilfred Preston, the 14-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred J. Preston, 1238 South Eutaw street, Baltimore, confessed that he fired the fatal shot. Preston was held for the action of the Baltimore County Court by Magistrate Wilkinson after an inquest held at the Mount Winans Police Station Tuesday night to investigate the killing of Mr. Baer. The jury rendered a verdict of death "caused by a bullet fired from a rifle in the hands of Wilfred J. Preston."

75 Years Ago

An article in the April 23, 1937 edition of The Catonsville Herald and Baltimore Countian recognized a local student's musical abilities.

Margaret Wolf, winner of the Student Award at the Maryland State Contest of Music Clubs, will sing at the First District Parent-Teacher Association meeting which will be held on Tuesday, April 27, at 8 P.M. at the Westchester Consolidated School, Westchester Avenue, near Oella Avenue.

All patrons of Johnny Cake School, Westchester School and the Catonsville Elementary and High Schools, and any others who are interested, are invited to attend.

Mrs. H. Ross Coppage, President of the Maryland Congress of Parents and Teachers, will speak and Mr. Velie, instructor of music at the Catonsville High School, has arranged a musical program in addition to Miss Wolf's solos.

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Miss Paula Eicha gave a tea to members of the Art Group of the Woman's Club of Relay at the home of Mrs. R. Baldwin Homer, University Parkway, last Friday. The guest of honor was Mrs. Henrietta Dew, Director of Ceramics at the Maryland Institute.

Following the tea, the group went to the home of Mrs. Ernest Kemp, Rolling Road, to view an exhibit of pottery made by the Art Group. This pottery will be on exhibition at the Maryland Institute from April 29 to May 12.

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The Catonsville High School lacrosse ten tripped the Towson High School stickmen, 6 to 2, in a rough league battle at Towson last Tuesday.

Towson rang the bell early in the first quarter. Catonsville came back with a tally in each of the first and second quarters to lead 2 to 1 as the half ended. The visitors added another tally as the gun was heard for the end of the third quarter, with the blue and gold leading, 3 to 1. The home team scored in a few seconds of the fourth quarter to bring their total to two. The Towson goal was stormed for three more goals before the game ended.

50 Years Ago

An article in the April 26, 1962 edition of the Herald Argus and Baltimore Countian announced the opening of the new Arbutus Library.

The new Arbutus branch of the Baltimore County Public Library will be open for service at 1 P.M. on Friday, May 11. An Open House will be held on Thursday, May 10, from 7:30 to 9:30 P.M. with dedication ceremonies at 8:30 P.M. The public is cordially invited.

The old branch on East Drive will close at 9 P.M. on Thursday, April 26, to allow time to accomplish the move to the new quarters at Sulphur Spring road and Benson avenue. Patrons with books due between April 27 and May 11 may hold them until the new branch is opened.

The new branch has been enlarged to 8,000 square feet, as opposed to 800 square feet in the old branch. This will allow for the addition of an informal reading lounge area, a separate children's area and a meeting room with a seating capacity of 80. The current bookstock of approximately 13,000 volumes has been supplemented by approximately 5,000 volumes and the collection will eventually reach 20,000 volumes. Additional periodicals and recordings and a record player have been purchased for use in the new branch.

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Eight of the twelve grandchildren of Mrs. Edith Reinhardt of 2911 Hammonds Ferry road were not able to join in the Easter festivities due to contracting measles. Parents of five of the children are Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Roy Reinhardt of 1967 Freeway, and parents of three of them are Mr. and Mrs. Harold Reinhardt of 3107 Aspen Court.

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Activity at the Catonsville Midget League never ceases. With an exciting, successful basketball season just completed, officers and directors of the Midget League are readying for opening day of the 14th baseball season.

Preparing for another battle in the Pony League are managers Carville Earle and his Westview Optimists, Ken Ford and the Toll House team, Walter Taylor with the Exchange Club, Tim McColgan for Catonsville Optimist, and newcomers to the managers ranks, Russell Sweet and Joe Blackert, who will manage Lions and Ridgeway Electric.

Material from archives courtesy of the Catonsville Historical Society.